Perpetual Giveaway Rules Discussion

I agree with your thoughts when it comes to shipping overseas, regardless of where one may live, as it can be intimidating to those who have not done it. But, I also like the idea of a drawing every month to surprise the next recipient of the set. That would give us all a reason to keep track and to check in here for the updates? Probably, if it would be okay with forum members, it would be best to ask the member currently holding the set if he/she would prefer an open drawing (world wide shipping) or a national drawing (their own nation) as this would still give the set an option to travel the world in the first year instead of being automatically locked in the U.S. or Australia for long periods? Me personally, as well as many other members, have no problem shipping across the big pond, but we are used to it and know how to get it done and, quite frankly, we individuals should ask for an open drawing. Those who are uncomfortable, when their time comes, would simply request a national drawing and the set would stay in country until the next month or next open drawing. I guess I like the surprise element each month and I do want to be as fair as possible to each and every member around the world. I do see Susans point and feel each member could make his/her own decision on shipping and costs when their time comes? I will say that shipping to many nations will require the set be sent REGISTERED MAIL as that is simply the safest way to get it there and for the most part will guarantee it does get there! This is not meant to offend anyone its just the way it is right now! And, registered mail will cost a bit more so every one of us must take that into consideration when declaring an OPEN drawing or National drawing. Now for the members who may be the only one from that country well they should know up front they will be shipping to a foreign country once they receive the set and must accept that fact up front. Also with the drawings we can eliminate the old buddy system where you scratch my back and I will scratch yours. I want everyone involved to have equal opporutunity to be a part of this traveling set of coins which I am sure will surely break MILEAGE, TIME TRAVELED and NATIONS VISITED records for a single package! Thats my goal and I am proud to be a part of this endeavor with so many outstanding collectors from around the world. I am looking forward to holding the set and will take great pride in doing my part to see that someone else in the far corners of the world will do the same!

I will make one other valid point at this time. It is apparent the coins will come to me for placement in a secure holder so I will try to get a photo of the set available for posting when it is done. We will need a card or something for each member to sign with their address and date and hopefully miles traveled from destination to destination and this WILL stay with the set!
Next I MUST propose that the set, upon completion of the holder, go to SUSAN and BOBBY as first offical recipients of the set. (I am signing the card though!!!) They will then declare the first OPEN or NATIONAL DRAW and the set will be on its way! MOM and DAD should be the first recipients for a great number of reasons. I also would like for the rules to state the holder of the set may keep them up to ___?_____ amount of time or weeks? The holder of the set (he/she) may pass the set on any time up to the maximum time allowed as this may help provide more members the opportunity to see the set in the first year. It will be the responsibility of the next recipient to get his/her CORRECT shipping address to the holder in a timely manner after the drawing. While this all may seem complicated right now I am sure we will get the bugs worked out and things will run smoothly. Perhaps we should draw more than one at a time and do a list for 3 months or 6 months? Everyone should go to the sign up thread and edit their post with a note requesting an OPEN DRAW or NATIONAL DRAW? Would that help any?
You all will have to forgive me as I am thinking out loud here in my efforts to determine how this can and will work!

I use "hobby supplies" or "numismatic items" on my customs declarations. Always select "gift" as well. None the less, regardless of my shipping costs, which could only come once in any given year, I am in favor of getting this set on the road and a story about our undertaking in Coin World and Numismatic News. I have never heard such an undertaking, at least not in the U.S.

rggoodie, In declaring OPEN DRAW I was referring to international and National I was referring to shipping within your own borders. Hope that clears up my attempt to explain the choices each of us would have when the time comes. Guess we could just say INTERNATIONAL DRAW or NATIONAL DRAW? The point I was trying to make is that if someone is uncomfortable, for any reason, about shipping over seas then they could ask for a "in" nation draw!

I want the set to travel and to travel often! Rack up the miles and smiles all over the world. The draw, which I called OPEN, would keep everyone in the hat for that month. Only the requested National draw would keep the set in the same nation and again, if any individual has a problem shipping overseas then I can live with that. I also think many collectors will be ready to ship it out within the first two weeks and that would acceptable as more of the collectors here would get the opportunity to see the set if every now and then some of us push the ship date up a little! I am ready to get this show on the road!!!

Then perhaps we should have an open draw guaranteed every other month? Or should we just draw and let the cards fall as they may? Doesn't matter to me as I just want to get the coins in the holder and the set out of Indiana headed for the East coast and Bobby and Susan. That will give them a chance to take a great picture for the forum and to do the first draw. Miles and Smiles, thats what it is all about! I will see if I can locate an appropriate card in this area and if not, perhaps there is a computer whiz out there who can dream something up, print it out, and get it headed my way as well? Get those coins in the mail! Its show time!!!

I can go one step further and say that if anyone in the U.S. is uncomfortable shipping out of the country they can forward the set back to me and I will do it for you. The whole idea is to have the drawing and keep the set moving. Thats the least I can do if it makes it easier for a forum member needing the help. Any other points or issues we need to discuss before I adjourn for the day?

Terry, I would be willing to share the task(and cost) of overseas shipping as well. Mike Oh yeah, and I, like Richard will "baby sit" your coins for you as well! LOL

I can see this is coming down to a poll! I do like Metalmans explanation and reasoning. With his offer we could move it across national lines 4 times a year, guaranteed! Thats not to say it could not go every other month, which is possible, with the draw but this would force the set to move out of a country every three months which is what we want to do. I like this idea a lot!